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THE CHRISTMAS CROSSING MIRACLE
The Christmas Crossing Miracle is the story of a strategically brilliant and audacious military move that turned the fate of America during the Revolutionary War in 1776.
The Christmas Crossing is also known as the December 25th and 26th, 1776 crossing of the icy and treacherous Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Trenton, New Jersey by General George Washington and his Continental troops.
TIMELINE
March 1776
In March of 1776, George Washington’s Continental Army had successfully pushed British troops out of Boston. Unfortunately, the British troops landed on Long Island in August and were able to push Washington’s army completely out of New York by mid-November and chase them across New Jersey.
December 2, 1776
On December 2, 1776, Washington’s troops had reached Trenton, New Jersey on the Delaware River to cross the river back into Pennsylvania. The army was suffering from poor morale because of the defeats in New York and shrinking because of expiring enlistments as well as desertions.
Washington had expected the British to attack when the river froze, so he ordered his troops to gather every boat they could find so the British couldn’t follow them across the river.
But, instead, the British had decided not to chase Washington further at that time. They ended the campaign season and stayed at winter quarters in New York City to plan a spring campaign against the Continental Army. A chain of outposts was set up in the area near Trenton and some 1000 Hessians, German professional soldiers (auxiliaries of the British), arrived at the Trenton outpost. The American troops were described by an enemy officer as dying of the cold, without blankets, and very ill-supplied with provisions.
December 19, 1776
On December 19, a new pamphlet titled, The American Crisis, written by Thomas Paine (the author of Common Sense) was published and included the following words:
These are the times that try men's souls; the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
General Washington ordered the pamphlet to be read to all of his troops. The pamphlet inspired the Patriot troops and boosted their morale, helping to improve the tolerance of their difficult conditions.
Christmastime, 1776
At Christmastime in 1776, George Washington’s troops were still in retreat, barely keeping ahead of the British Redcoats. The Revolution was in great danger of collapsing.
But General George Washington had a plan!
WASHINGTON'S PLAN...
General Washington had formed a bold and extremely dangerous plan that may initially have seemed completely irrational. It involved transporting 2400 Continental soldiers across the icy Delaware River some nine miles north of Trenton where the German Hessians had set up camp.
The crossing would bring his soldiers directly into a severe winter storm of sleet and snow, but it would completely surprise the Hessians. They had never really prepared for an attack because they felt confident that the Patriots were just farmers, not professional soldiers as they were.
Washington was well aware that the Continental Army desperately needed a victory, and he knew the element of surprise was the only way that he and his army stood a chance of defeating the highly trained Hessian soldiers.
Washington’s strategy involved keeping almost all the details of the Christmas crossing a secret. Thus, none of the soldiers knew what their upcoming mission was going to be.
OBSTACLES TO WASHINGTON'S PLAN
Please continue reading here for the rest of the story of the Christmas Crossing Miracle and the Victory at Trenton and its significance for the young American Republic...
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GIFT A TREE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
ONE TREE PLANTED.ORG
One Tree Planted.org helps with sustainability and reforestation on our planet by planting trees!
Since the holiday giving season is upon us, this organization has suggested eleven reasons to gift a tree for the holidays. Here is why and how...
ELEVEN REASONS TO
GIFT A TREE PLANTED IN NATURE
FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The season of giving is upon us! And while love and generosity are among the things that make the holidays so special, our daily routines and even holiday traditions come with an environmental cost.
When it comes to gifts, sometimes we're lucky enough to get something we really want and will use for a long time, but how often does that really happen? Most gifts just end up sitting around collecting dust, are returned, or thrown away within a year. While half of returns are re-shelved to be resold, some 5 billion pounds of returned goods end up in landfills, equivalent to the trash produced by 5 million Americans, and the returns process accounts for 1.6 billion gallons of diesel fuel and 15 million metric tons of CO2.
Yikes! That's A LOT of waste in a short amount of time. Luckily, there are ways to break the vicious wasteful cycle. As an eco-friendly alternative or complement to other gifts, you can make a donation to plant trees on behalf of someone you love! through One Tree Planted.org.
Your sustainable gift can come with a custom Tree Certificate or card, and you'll rest easy knowing you've given a waste-free gift that will benefit nature for a lifetime.
Here are eleven reasons to gift a tree planted in nature for the holidays:
1. It is a Unique Gift
For the most part, we can all predict what everyone is getting for Christmas this year. Whether it's the latest gadgets, socks, or new gear. Planting a tree is different and makes us recall fond memories of enjoying the outdoors. Plant trees for your bestie, grandma, the person who has everything, or the nature-lover. They will love the thoughtful gesture.
2. Good for the Environment
There are a ton of ways trees benefit the environment, much more so than the last-minute gift you found on sale that will get little use. And this kind of gift will reduce your carbon footprint since you won't have to have it shipped!
3. Will Last a Lifetime
The gift that keeps on giving! A tree is truly an investment that will return benefits for years to come. Every year your loved one can look back and smile as they think about how their tree is growing and helping all who surround it. And you can follow our many reforestation stories online to learn about the individual impact of different projects.
4. Give Animals a Home
A tree is a gift for our furry, winged, and scaly friends too! 80% of the world's known terrestrial plant and animal species can be found in forests. One tree alone can be home to hundreds of living things! Just think about all the birds, insects, and mammals that will have a place to live thanks to the trees you've helped to plant.
5. Clean the Air
Trees filter the air we breathe, produce oxygen, and remove carbon and harmful particles from the atmosphere. The World Health organization says that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants, but trees can help improve air quality!
6. Benefit Future Generations
Young people today are increasingly concerned about how our changing climate will affect their future. By planting a tree, you are taking positive action for future generations to come. We can reduce the effects of climate change one tree at a time.
7. Help End Hunger
Trees can produce nutritious food for people in need, as well as food that can be sold. They can also restore degraded lands so that farmers can gradually increase crop yields, protect surrounding land to reduce damaging erosion and landslides, and help the ground retain more water so that there is more available for food to grow. With healthier food systems as a result of trees, communities also have improved health, jobs, and economic stability.
Please continue reading here to see more reasons to gift a tree this holiday season or at any other time of year as well information on other eco-friendly gifts available from Gift a Tree.org.
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